Water soluble sachet containing hard surface cleaner

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a water-soluble container which contains a composition useful for hard surface cleaning. The composition comprises at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof, at least 70% wt. of at least one organic solvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt., optionally at least one alkanolamine; and optionally, conventional additives. The water soluble containers can be made by thermoforming or injection molding.

The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions,especially compositions which dissolve and disperse satisfactorily inwater.

Liquid detergent compositions comprising surfactants are known. Suchcompositions can be used, for example, as hard surface cleaners, ineither dilutable form or in ready to use form. In general, manysurfactant compositions comprise a large amount of water. For example,hand dishwashing compositions often contain up to 80 wt % water. Suchcompositions do not generally have any compatibility problems when beingdiluted with a large quantity of water.

For some purposes it is desirable to have detergent compositions whichare anhydrous or substantially anhydrous. In some instances, when suchcompositions are anhydrous or substantially anhydrous, pre-measureddoses can be prepared so that the user of the these compositions do nothave to measure the appropriate amount of surfactant composition to useevery time they wish to clean hard surfaces.

Thus, there is real and continuing need in the art for improvedcompositions which are useful in the cleaning of surfaces, particularlyhard surfaces.

The present composition is especially suitable for use in awater-soluble container where the container is simply added to a largequantity of water and dissolves, releasing its contents. The favorabledissolution and dispersion properties of the composition of the presentinvention are particularly useful in this context.

Broadly speaking, the present invention also provides a water solublecontainer containing a hard surface cleaning composition.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a water solublecontainer containing a concentrate composition comprising:

(a) at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactants, anionicsurfactants, and mixtures thereof;

(b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organic solvent having a solubilityin water of at least 4% wt.;

(c) optionally, but desirably at least one alkanolamine; and

(d) optionally, up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventionaladditives selected from coloring agents, fragrances and fragrancesolubilizers, further surfactants, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers,optical brighteners, opacifying agents, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, andpreservatives;

wherein said composition contains no more than 1% wt. water.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a water solublecontainer containing a concentrate composition comprising:

(a) at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactants, anionicsurfactants, and mixtures thereof;

(b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organic solvent having a solubilityin water of at least 4% wt.;

(c) optionally, but desirably at least one alkanolamine; and

(d) optionally, up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventionaladditives selected from coloring agents, fragrances and fragrancesolubilizers, further surfactants, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers,optical brighteners, opacifying agents, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, andpreservatives;

wherein said composition contains no more than 5.5% wt. water.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a water solublecontainer containing a concentrate composition comprising:

(a) at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactants, anionicsurfactants, and mixtures thereof;

(b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organic solvent having a solubilityin water of at least 4% wt.;

(c) optionally, but desirably at least one alkanolamine; and

(d) optionally, up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventionaladditives selected from coloring agents, fragrances and fragrancesolubilizers, further surfactants, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers,optical brighteners, opacifying agents, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, andpreservatives;

wherein said composition contains in excess of 7.5% wt. water, but notmore than about 12.5% wt. water.

In a fourth aspect of the invention which is directed to certainparticularly preferred compositions of the invention, the inventivecompositions according to any of the aforesaid first through thirdaspects of the invention the concentrate compositions necessarilycomprise (c) at least one alkanolamine.

In a fifth and preferred aspect of the invention there is provided aconcentrate composition according to any of the first through fourthaspects of the invention recited previously the inventive compositionsexhibit a flash point of at least 105° F. or greater. In a sixth andpreferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a concentratecomposition according to any of the first through fifth aspects of theinvention wherein the (b) the at least one organic solvent having asolubility in water of at least 4% wt. is present in an amount of atleast 75% wt, preferably of at least 80% wt.

In a sixth and preferred aspect of the invention there is there isprovided a concentrate composition according to any of the prior recitedinventive aspects wherein (b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organicsolvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt. comprises(preferably consists essentially of) propylene glycol n-butyl ether andpropylene glycol methyl ether and optionally comprises a C₁-C₆ glycol,or a C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohol.

In a seventh and preferred aspect of the invention there is there isprovided a concentrate composition according to any of the prior recitedinventive aspects wherein the (a) at least one surfactant selected fromnon-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereofcomprises (preferably consists essentially of) a C₁₀-C₁₄alkyl sulfatesurfactant, a C₁₀-C₁₄alkyl ether sulfate surfactant and mixture thereof,further in conjunction with one or more nonionic alkylpolyglycosidesurfactants.

In an eighth and further preferred aspect of the invention there isprovided a concentrate composition according to any of the prior recitedaspects of the invention wherein the (a) at least one surfactant isselected from non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and mixturesthereof comprises preferably consists essentially of) at least onenonionic surfactant based on an ethoxy/propoxy block copolymer, furtherin conjunction with at least one nonionic surfactant based onethoxylated fatty alcohols, and wherein the concentrate compositionfurther includes as a further surfactant an alkoylated quaternaryammonium compound.

A ninth and further aspect of the invention is directed to a watersoluble container containing a concentrate composition according to anyprior recited inventive aspect wherein the concentrate compositionexhibits a flashpoint temperature of at least 105° F.

A tenth and further aspect of the invention is directed to a watersoluble container containing a concentrate composition according to anyprior recited inventive aspect dissolved in a-larger quantity of waterto form a cleaning composition, wherein said cleaning compositionexhibits low streaking characteristics when used to clean polished hardsurfaces particularly polished metal surfaces, glass and mirrors,particularly mirrors.

A eleventh and further aspect of the invention is directed to a processfor treating a surface, particularly a hard surface especially one ormore selected from polished metal surfaces, glass and mirrors in need ofcleaning, comprising the process steps of:

placing a water soluble container containing a composition according toany of the first through ninth aspects of the invention recited aboveinto a quantity of water;

allowing the water soluble container to dissolve in the water to form acleaning solution;

and applying an effective amount of the solution to the surface in needof treatment.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description.

The water soluble container according to any aspect of the invention cancomprise a thermoformed or injection molded water soluble polymer. Thewater soluble container ; may comprise a thermoformed or injectionmolded water-soluble polymer. It may also simply comprise awater-soluble film. Such containers are described, for example, inEP-A-524,721, GB-A-2,244,258, WO 92/17,381 and WO 00/55,068.

The method of thermoforming the water soluble container is preferablyone which is similar to the process described in WO 92/17382. Accordingto said process, a first poly (vinyl alcohol) (“PVOH”) film is initiallythermoformed to produce a non-planar sheet containing a pocket, such asa recess, which is able to retain the aqueous composition. The pocket isgenerally bounded by a flange, which is preferably substantially planar.The pocket may have internal barrier layers as described in, forexample, WO 93/08095. The pocket is then filled with the aqueouscomposition, and a second PVOH film is placed on the flange and acrossthe pocket. The second PVOH film may or may not be thermoformed. If thefirst film contains more than one pocket, the second film may be placedacross all of the pockets for convenience. The pocket may be completelyfilled, or only partly filled, for example to leave an air space of from2 to 20%, especially from 5 to 10%, of the volume of the containerimmediately after it is formed. Partial filling may reduce the risk ofrupture of the container if it is subjected to shock and reduce the riskof leakage if the container is subjected to high temperatures.

The films are then sealed together, for example by heat sealing acrossthe flange. Other methods of sealing the films together may be used, forexample infra-red, radio frequency, ultrasonic, laser, solvent,vibration or spin welding. An adhesive such as an aqueous solution ofPVOH may also be used. The seal desirably is also water-soluble.

For injection molding the containers of the present invention, thecontainer or capsule generally comprises a receptacle part which holdsthe composition and a closure part, which may simply close thereceptacle part or may itself have at least some receptacle function.The receptacle part preferably has side walls which terminate at theirupper end in an outward flange in which the closure part is sealinglysecured, especially if the closure part is in the form of a film. Thesecurement may be by means of an adhesive but is preferably achieved bymeans of a seal, between the flange and the closure part. Heat sealingmay be used or other methods such as infra-red, radio frequency,ultrasonic, laser, solvent, vibration or spin welding. An adhesive suchas an aqueous solution of PVOH or a cellulose ether may also be used.The seal is desirably also water-soluble.

The closure part may itself be injection molded or blow molded.Preferably, however, it is a plastic film secured over the receptaclepart. The film may, for example, comprise PVOH or a cellulose ether suchas HPMC or another water-soluble polymer.

The container walls have thicknesses such that the containers are rigid.For example, the outside walls and any inside walls which have beeninjection molded independently generally have a thickness of greaterthan 100 μm, for example greater than 150 μm or greater than 200 μm, 300μm or 500 μm. Preferably, the closure part is of a thinner material thanthe receptacle part. Thus, typically, the closure part is of thicknessin the range 10 to 200 μm, preferably 50 to 100 μm, and the wallthickness of the receptacle part is in the range 300 to 1500 μm,preferably 500 to 1000 μm. The closure part may, however, also have awall thickness of 300 to 1500 μm, such as 500 to 1000 μm.

Preferably, the closure part dissolves in water (at least to the extentof allowing the washing composition in the receptacle part to bedissolved by the water; and preferably completely) at 20° C. in lessthan 3 minutes, preferably in less than 1 minute.

The receptacle part and the closure part may be of the same thickness ormay be thicker; when thicker the closure part may, for example, be ofhigher solubility than the receptacle part, in order to dissolve morequickly.

In the manufacturing method, the array, formed by injection molding, isfed to a filling zone, and all the receptacle parts are charged with thewashing composition. A sheet of a water-soluble polymer such as PVOH ora cellulose ether may then be secured over the top of the array, to formthe closure parts for all the receptacle parts of the array. The arraymay then be split up into the individual washing capsules, prior topackaging, or it may be left as an array, for packaging, to be split bythe user. Preferably, it is left as an array, for the user to break ortear off the individual washing capsules. Preferably, the array has aline of symmetry extending between capsules, and the two halves of thearray are folded together, about that line of symmetry, so that closureparts are in face-to-face contact. This helps to protect the closureparts from any damage, between factory and user. It will be appreciatedthat the closure parts are more prone to damage than the receptacleparts. Alternatively two identical arrays of washing capsules may beplaced together with their closure parts in face-to-face contact, forpackaging.

In all cases, the polymer is formed into a container or receptacle suchas a pouch which can receive the composition, which is filled with thecomposition and then sealed, for example by heat sealing along the topof the container in vertical form-fill-processes or by laying a furthersheet of water-soluble polymer or molded polymer on top of the containerand sealing it to the body of the container, for example by heatsealing. Other methods of sealing the films together may be used, forexample infra-red, radio frequency, ultrasonic, laser, solvent,vibration or spin welding. An adhesive such as an aqueous solution ofPVOH may also be used. The seal desirably is also water-soluble.

Desirably the water-soluble polymer is PVOH. The PVOH may be partiallyor fully alcoholized or hydrolyzed. For example, it may be from 40 to100% preferably 70 to 92%, more preferably about 88%, alcoholized orhydrolyzed, polyvinyl acetate. When the polymer is in film form, thefilm may be cast, blown or extruded.

The water-soluble polymer is generally cold water (20° C) soluble, butdepending on its chemical nature, for example the degree of hydrolysisof the PVOH, may be insoluble in cold water at 20° C., and only becomesoluble in warm water or hot water having a temperature of, for example,30° C., 40° C., 50° C. or even 60° C. It is preferable that the watersoluble polymer is soluble in cold water.

The water soluble containers of the present invention find particularuse where a unit-dosage form of the composition is required which isthen diluted prior to use. Thus, for example, the composition may beuseful as a hard surface cleaner (for example, floors, bathroomsurfaces, windows) which is diluted prior to use. The water solublecontainer to be used for hard surface cleaners can take any shape, suchas an envelope, sachet, sphere, cylinder, cube or cuboid (i.e. arectangular parallelepiped whose faces are not all equal) where the baseis square, circular, triangular, or oval, but water soluble containersof rounded cuboid or cylindrical shape are preferred; rounded cuboid foruse in, for example, a bucket of water and cylindrical when used as arefill for a trigger bottle. For the rounded cuboid water solublecontainer, the water soluble container can have dimensions such as, forexample, having a length of 1 to 5 cm, especially 3.5 to 4.5 cm, a widthof 1.5 to 3.5 cm, especially 2 to 3 cm, and a height of 1 to 2 cm,especially 1.25 to 1.75 cm. The water-soluble container may hold, forexample, from 10 to 40 g of the composition, especially from 10 to 25 gof the composition of the present composition. For the cylindricalshape, the water soluble container diameter should be such that thewater soluble container fits through the opening of a trigger bottle,generally about 2 cm. The length of the water soluble container can beabout 1 to 8 cm. Such water soluble containers hold about 3 to about 25g of composition. However, it should be understood that there is notheoretical limitation, in either size or shape, and what is suitablewill normally be decided upon the basis of the “dose” of the watersoluble container's contents, the size of any aperture the water solublecontainer may have to pass through, and the available means of delivery.

In some embodiments, a single layer film for both the top and bottom thepacket can be used or a laminate film of two or more layers of PVOH orother water soluble film can be used on either the top or bottom or onboth top and bottom of the packet. For the cylindrical container, thefilm can also be single layer or a laminate of two or more layers ofPVOH or other water soluble film.

With reference now to the compositions used in conjunction with thewater soluble containers to form articles according to the invention,said compositions necessarily comprise (a) at least one surfactantselected from non-ionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, and mixturesthereof.

Nonlimiting examples of suitable non-ionic surfactants which may be usedin the present invention are as follows:

(1) The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols. These compoundsinclude the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl groupcontaining from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain orbranched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, the ethylene oxidebeing present in an amount equal to 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide permole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds can bederived, for example, from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene and thelike. Examples of compounds of this type include nonyl phenol condensedwith about 9.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonyl phenol;dodecylphenol condensed with about 12 moles of ethylene oxide per moleof phenol; dinonyl phenol condensed with about 15 moles of ethyleneoxide per mole of phenol and diisooctyl phenol condensed with about 15moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol.

(2) The condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 toabout 60 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphaticalcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, andgenerally contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Examples ofsuch ethoxylated alcohols include the condensation product of myristylalcohol condensed with about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole ofalcohol and the condensation product of about 9 moles of ethylene oxidewith coconut alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcohols with alkyl chainsvarying in length from about 10 to 14 carbon atoms). One example of sucha non-ionic surfactant is available as Empilan KM 50.

(3) Alkoxy block copolymers, and in particular, compounds based onethoxy/propoxy block copolymers. Polymeric alkylene oxide blockcopolymers include non-ionic surfactants in which the major portion ofthe molecule is made up of block polymeric C₂-C₄ alkylene oxides. Suchnon-ionic surfactants, while preferably built up from an alkylene oxidechain starting group, and can have as a starting nucleus almost anyactive hydrogen containing group including, without limitation, amides,phenols, thiols and secondary alcohols.

Other non-ionic surfactants containing the characteristic alkylene oxideblocks are those which may be generally represented by the formula (A):HO—(EO)_(x)(PO)_(y)(EO)_(z)—H   (A)where EO represents ethylene oxide,

-   -   PO represents propylene oxide,    -   y equals at least 15,

(EO)_(x+y) equals 20 to 50% of the total weight of said compounds, and,the total molecular weight is preferably in the range of about 2000 to15,000. These surfactants are available under the PLURONIC tradenamefrom BASF or EMULGEN from Kao.

Another group of non-ionic surfactants can be represented by the formula(B):R-(EO,PO)_(a)(EO,PO)_(b)—H   (B)wherein R is an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, where the R group contains1 to 20 carbon atoms, the weight percent of EO is within the range of 0to 45% in one of the blocks a, b, and within the range of 60 to 100% inthe other of the blocks a, b, and the total number of moles of combinedEO and PO is in the range of 6 to 125 moles, with 1 to 50 moles in thePO rich block and 5 to 100 moles in the EO rich block.

Further non-ionic surfactants which in general are encompassed byFormula B include butoxy derivatives of propylene oxide/ethylene oxideblock polymers having molecular weights within the range of about2000-5000.

Still further non-ionic surfactants containing polymeric butoxy (BO)groups can be represented by formula (C) as follows:RO—(BO)_(n)(EO)_(x)—H   (C)wherein R is an alkyl group containing I to 20 carbon atoms, n is about5-15 and x is about 5-15.

Also further non-ionic block copolymer surfactants, which also includepolymeric butoxy groups, are those which may be represented by thefollowing formula (D):HO—(EO)_(x)(BO)_(n)(EO)_(y)—H   (D)wherein n is about 5-15, preferably about 15,

-   -   x is about 5-15, preferably about 15, and    -   y is about 5-15, preferably about 15.

Still further non-ionic block copolymer surfactants include ethoxylatedderivatives of propoxylated ethylene diamine, which may be representedby the following formula:

where (EO) represents ethoxy,

-   -   (PO) represents propoxy,        the amount of (PO)_(x) is such as to provide a molecular weight        prior to ethoxylation of about 300 to 7500, and the amount of        (EO)_(y) is such as to provide about 20% to 90% of the total        weight of said compound.

Further examples of non-ionic surfactants include Exemplarypolyoxyalkylene alkylethers may be represented by the followingstructures:

wherein:

R is a C₈₋₂₀ group, which may be straight chained or branched, but ispreferably a C₈₋₁₆ group, and most preferably is a C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl group;

a+b+c are intergers whose sum is in the range of from 8-18 with theproviso that a, b and c are each at least 1.

Desirably the polyoxyalkylene alkylethers are those which have amolecular weight in the range of from about 200 to about 2000, moreprefeably have a molecular weight in the range of 500-1100.

Such polyoxyalkylene alkylethers as depicated above are presentlycommercially available as EMULGEN polyoxyalkylene alkylethers (ex. KAOGroup, Japan) Particularly useful and particularly preferred examples ofsuch polyoxyalkylene alkylethers include EMULGEN MS-110 which isdescribed with reference to the Examples, discussed below.

Still further examples of non-ionic surfactants include linear alcoholethoxylates. The linear alcohol ethoxylates which may be employed in thepresent invention are generally include the C₆-C₁₅ straight chainalcohols which are ethoxylated with about 1 to 13 moles of ethyleneoxide. Examples of such include Alfonic® 810-4.5, which is described inproduct literature from Sasol North America Inc. as having an averagemolecular weight of 356, an ethylene oxide content of about 4.85 moles(about 60 wt. %), and an HLB of about 12; Alfonic® 810-2, which isdescribed in product literature from Sasol North America Inc. as havingan average molecular weight of 242, an ethylene oxide content of about2.1 moles (about 40 wt. %), and an HLB of about 12; and Alfonic®610-3.5, which is described in product literature from Sasol NorthAmerica Inc. as having an average molecular weight of 276, an ethyleneoxide content of about 3.1 moles (about 50 wt. %), and an HLB of 10.Product literature from Sasol North America Inc. also identifies thatthe numbers in the alcohol ethoxylate name designate the carbon chainlength (numbers before the hyphen) and the average moles of ethyleneoxide (numbers after the hyphen) in the product. These examples aretypically C₆-C₁₁ straight-chain alcohols which are ethoxylated with fromabout 3 to about 6 moles of ethylene oxide. Other examples ofethoxylated alcohols include the Neodol® 91 series non-ionic surfactantsavailable from Shell Chemical Company which are described as C₉-C₁₁ethoxylated alcohols. The Neodol® 91 series non-ionic surfactants ofinterest include Neodol 91-2.5, Neodol 91-6, and Neodol 91-8. Neodol91-2.5 has been described as having about 2.5 ethoxy groups permolecule; Neodol 91-6 has been described as having about 6 ethoxy groupsper molecule; and Neodol 91-8 has been described as having about 8ethoxy groups per molecule. Still further examples of ethoxylatedalcohols include the Rhodasurf® DA series non-ionic surfactantsavailable from Rhodia which are described to be branched isodecylalcohol ethoxylates. Rhodasurf DA-530 has been described as having 4moles of ethoxylation and an HLB of 10.5; Rhodasurf DA-630 has beendescribed as having 6 moles of ethoxylation with an HLB of 12.5; andRhodasurf DA-639 is a 90% solution of DA-630. Yet further examples ofethoxylated alcohols include those from Tomah Products (Milton, Wisc.)under the Tomadol tradename with the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H where R isthe primary linear alcohol and n is the total number of moles ofethylene oxide. The ethoxylated alcohol series from Tomah include91-2.5; 91-6; 91-8—where R is linear C₉/C₁₀/C₁₁ and n is 2.5, 6, or 8;1-3; 1-5; 1-7; 1-73B; 1-9;—where R is linear C₁₁ and n is 3, 5, 7 or 9;23-1; 23-3; 23-5; 23-6.5—where R is linear C₁₂/C₁₃ and n is 1, 3, 5, or6.5; 25-3; 25-7; 25-9; 25-12—where R is linear C₁₂/C₁₃/C₁₄/C₁₅ and n is3, 7, 9, or 12; and 45-7; 45-13—where R is linear C₁₄/C₁₅ and n is 7 or13

A further useful class of non-ionic surfactants include those based onamine oxide compounds. Examples of amine oxide compounds may be definedas one or more of the following of the four general classes:

(1) Alkyl di (lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group hasabout 6-24, and preferably 8-18 carbon atoms, and can be straight orbranched chain, saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl groups includebetween 1 and 7 carbon atoms, but preferably each include 1-3 carbonatoms. Examples include octyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, and those in which the alkylgroup is a mixture of different amine oxides, such as dimethyl cocoamineoxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide, and myristyl/palmityldimethyl amine oxide;

(2) Alkyl di (hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl grouphas about 6-22, and preferably 8-18 carbon atoms, and can be straight orbranched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples includebis-(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) tallowamineoxide; and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide;

(3) Alkylamidopropyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkylgroup has about 10-20, and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms, and can bestraight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples arecocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide and tallowamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide; and

(4) Alkylmorpholine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20, andpreferably 12-16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain,saturated or unsaturated.

Two or more amine oxides may be used, wherein amine oxides of varyingchains of the R₂ group are present. Examples of amine oxide compoundsinclude N-alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, particularly octyl dimethyl amineoxides as well as lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. These amine oxidecompounds are available as surfactants from McIntyre Group Ltd. underthe tradename Mackamine® as well as from Stepan Co., under the tradenameAmmonyx®.

A further nonionic surfactant which may be used in the inventivecompositions include alkyl polyglycosides. Suitable alkyl polyglycosidesare known nonionic surfactants which are alkaline and electrolytestable. Alkyl mono and polyglycosides are prepared generally by reactinga monosaccharide, or a compound hydrolyzable to a monosaccharide with analcohol such as a fatty alcohol in an acid-medium. Various glycoside andpolyglycoside compounds including alkoxylated glycosides and processesfor making them are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,974,134; U.S. Pat.No.3,219,656; U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,865; U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,998; U.S.Pat. No. 3,707,535; U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,269; U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,318;U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,138; U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,129; and U.S. Pat. No.4,528,106.

A preferred group of alkyl glycoside surfactants suitable for use in thepractice of this invention may be represented by formula I below:RO—(R₁O)_(y)-(G)_(x)Z_(b)   Iwherein:

-   -   R is a monovalent organic radical containing from about 6 to        about 30, preferably from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms;    -   R₁ is a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing from about 2 to        about 4 carbon atoms;    -   O is an oxygen atom;    -   y is a number which has an average value from about 0 to about 1        and is preferably 0;    -   G is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing 5 or        6 carbon atoms; and    -   x is a number having an average value from about 1 to 5        (preferably from 1.1 to 2);    -   Z is O₂M¹,

-   -   O(CH₂), CO₂M¹, OSO₃M¹, or O(CH₂)SO₃M¹; R₂ is (CH₂)CO₂M¹ or        CH═CHCO₂M¹; (with the proviso that Z can be O₂M¹ only if Z is in        place of a primary hydroxyl group in which the primary        hydroxyl-bearing carbon atom,    -   —CH₂OH, is oxidized to form a

-   -    group);    -   b is a number of from 0 to 3x+1 preferably an average of from        0.5 to 2 per glycosal group;    -   p is 1 to 10,    -   M¹ is H⁺ or an organic or inorganic cation, such as, for        example, an alkali metal, ammonium, monoethanolamine, or        calcium.

As defined in Formula I above, R is generally the residue of a fattyalcohol having from about 8 to 30 and preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms.Examples of such alkylglycosides as described above include, forexample, APG™ 325 CS which is described as being a 50% C₉-C₁₁ alkylpolyglycoside, also commonly referred to as D-glucopyranoside,(commercially available from Henkel Corp, Ambler Pa.) and Glucopon® 625CS which is described as being a 50% C₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl polyglycoside, alsocommonly referred to as a D-glucopyranoside, (available from HenkelCorp., Ambler Pa.), as well as other materials sold under the Glucopon®tradename.

Non limiting examples of anionic surfactants which may be included inthe concentrate compositions include for example, alkali metal salts,ammonium salts, amine salts, or aminoalcohol salts of one or more of thefollowing compounds (linear and secondary): alcohol sulfates andsulfonates, alcohol phosphates and phosphonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylether sulfates, sulfate esters of an alkylphenoxy polyoxyethyleneethanol, alkyl monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, beta-alkoxy alkane sulfonates,alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceridesulfates, alkyl ether sulfonates, ethoxylated alkyl sulfonates,alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates,alkyl monoglyceride sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl sulfoacetates,alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl alkoxy carboxylates having 1 to 5 molesof ethylene oxide, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether. sulfosuccinates,alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, octoxynol ornonoxynol phosphates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates,taurates, N-acyl taurates, fatty taurides, fatty acid amidepolyoxyethylene sulfates, isethionates, acyl isethionates, andsarcosinates, acyl sarcosinates, or mixtures thereof. Generally, thealkyl or acyl radical in these various compounds comprise a carbon chaincontaining 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

Exemplary useful anionic surfactants include diphenyl disulfonates andalkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates, including those which arecommercially available in anionic surfactant compositions from the DowChemical Co. These are available as DOWFAX materials of which thosewhich conform to the following general structure are particularlyuseful:

wherein:

X represents a counterion, desirably an alkali metal or ammoniumcounterion, yet more desirably is lithium, potassium or sodium,especially sodium, and,

R represents a hydrogen of a hydrophobic alkyl group, desirably a linearor branched C₆-C₁₆ alkyl group which may be straight chained orbranched, may be optionally substituted but desirably are unsubstitutedC₆-C₁₂ straight chained alpha olefins, or is tetrapropylene.

Of these, particularly useful are those available as DOWFAX 3B2 which isdescribed as being a sodium salt according to the general structuredepicted above and wherein R is a C₆ olefin; and, DOWFAX 2A1 which isdescribed as being a sodium salt according to the general structuredepicted above and wherein R is tetrapropylene.

Examples of the foregoing anionic surfactants are available under thefollowing tradenames: RHODAPON, STEPANOL, HOSTAPUR, SURFINE, SANDOPAN,NEODOX, BIOSOFT, and AVANEL.

The (a) at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic surfactant,anionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof is present in the concentratecompositions in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 20% wt, preferablyfrom about 0.01-10% wt. Particularly preferred weight ranges, as well-as particularly preferred surfactant(s) are described with reference tothe Examples.

According to one particularly preferred aspect of the invention, theconcentrate composition comprises (a) at least one surfactant selectedfrom non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereofwhich comprises (preferably consists essentially of) a C₁₀-C₁₄alkylsulfate surfactant, a C₁₀-C₁₄alkyl ether sulfate surfactant and mixturethereof, further in conjunction with one or more nonionicalkylpolyglycoside surfactants. Most preferably the a C₁₀-C₁₄alkylsulfate surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate, the a C₁₀-C₁₄alkyl ethersulfate surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulfate both of which arepresent in conjunction with at least one nonionic alkylpolyglycosidesurfactant. The inclusion of nonionic alkylpolyglycoside surfactants hasbeen surprisingly observed by the inventors to provide not only a goodcleaning effect but have also been observed to function as low streakingsurfactants and to provide excellent surface wettability therebyproviding excellent distribution of the concentrate compositions, andespecially cleaning compositions formed from aqueous dilutions of theconcentrate compositions, onto hard surfaces being treated.

According to a further particularly preferred aspect of the invention,the concentrate composition comprises (a) at least one surfactant isselected from non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and mixturesthereof comprises (preferably consists essentially of) at least onenonionic surfactant based on an ethoxy/propoxy block copolymer, furtherin conjunction with at least one nonionic surfactant based onethoxylated fatty alcohols, and wherein the concentrate compositionfurther includes as a further surfactant an alkoylated quaternaryammonium compound. The present inventors have observed that thecombination of this preferred system of surfactants also providesconcentrate compositions which have been observed by the inventors toprovide not only a good cleaning effect but have also been observed tofunction as low streaking surfactants and to provide excellent surfacewettability thereby providing excellent distribution of the concentratecompositions, and especially cleaning compositions formed from aqueousdilutions of the concentrate compositions, onto hard surfaces beingtreated.

The concentrate compositions of the present invention necessarily alsocomprise (b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organic solvent having asolubility in water of at least 4% wt. Examples of organic solventswhich may be included in the concentrate compositions include thosewhich are at least partially water-miscible such as alcohols (e.g., lowmolecular weight alcohols, such as, for example, ethanol, propanol,isopropanol, and the like), glycols (such as, for example, ethyleneglycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, and the like), water-miscibleethers (e.g. diethylene glycol diethylether, diethylene glycoldimethylether, propylene glycol dimethylether), water-miscible glycolether (e.g. propylene glycol monomethylether, propylene glycol monoethylether, propylene glycol monopropylether, propylene glycolmonobutylether, ethylene glycol monobutylether, dipropylene glycolmonomethylether, diethyleneglycol monobutylether), lower esters ofmonoalkylethers of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol (e.g. propyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate) all commercially available from DowChemical Co. (Midland, Mich.). Mixtures of several organic solvents canalso be used. Preferred for use as solvents in this invention are theglycol ethers having the general structure R_(a)—R_(b)—OH, wherein R_(a)is an alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or aryloxy of at least 6 carbonatoms, and R_(b) is an ether condensate of propylene glycol and/orethylene glycol having from one to ten glycol monomer units. Preferredare glycol ethers having one to five glycol monomer units. These areC₃-C₂₀ glycol ethers. Examples of more preferred solvents includepropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether,tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol isobutyl ether,ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethyleneglycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycolphenol ether, and mixtures thereof. Desirably the (b) at least oneorganic solvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt comprises(preferably consists essentially of) propylene glycol n-butyl ether andpropylene glycol methyl ether and further optionally comprises a C₁-C₆glycol, or a C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohol, although in certain preferredcompositions C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohols are omitted.

Desirably the selection of the (b) at least one organic solvent having asolubility in water of at least 4% wt in the a concentrate compositionis such that the overall concentrate composition exhibits a flashpointtemperature of at least 105° F., preferably of at least 110° F. andespecially of at least 115° F. The inventors have found that a minimumflashpoint temperature of at least 105° F. provides a composition whichprovides good cleaning and evaporative characteristics, particularly lowstreaking compositions which may also be safely packaged and handledprior to use in forming a cleaning composition by adding an aliquot ofthe concentrate composition to a larger quantity of water. Higherflashpoint temperatures are generally to be preferred.

The present inventors have found that the presence of both propyleneglycol n-butyl ether with propylene glycol methyl ether, desirably in arespective weight ratios range of 0.5-2:2-0.5 of propylene glycoln-butyl ether:propylene glycol methyl ether, especially in a respectiveweight ratios range of 0.8-1.2:1.2-0.8 provides excellent stability ofthe concentrate composition packaged in the water soluble containerstaught hererin especially storage under elevated temperatures whichapproximate long shelf life storage characteristics.

The further presence of C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohols andin particular C₁-C₄ monohydric alcohols especially isopropanol may bedesired in aspects of the invention wherein the concentrate compositionscomprise about 2% or more water. The present inventors have found thatthe inclusion of a minor amount of C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydricalcohols may provide a useful cleaning benefit, however care is to betaken so that they are not included in the concentrate compositions inamounts which will decrease the flashpoint temperature to below about105° F. While not wishing to be bound by the following, the inventorshave observed that in concentrate composition having low amounts ofwater, e.g., 2% wt. water or less, the inclusion of significant amountsof C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohols in concentratecompositions which include little or no water is desirably to be avoidedas they have been observed to deleteriously affect PVOH films which maybe used. However, with increasing amounts of water present in theconcentrate compositiosn, specifically to about 12.5% wt. the totalamount of C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohols may be present toamounts of about 5% wt. of the concentrate compositions. Desirablyhowever total amount of C₁-C₆ glycols and C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohols isnot more than 5% wt. of the concentrate compositions, more desirably isnot more than about 2.5% wt.

The (b) the at least one organic solvent having a solubility in water ofat least 4% wt. is necessarily present in an amount of 70% wt. of theconcentrate composition of which it forms a part, but desirably presentin an amount of at least 75% wt, more preferably in amounts of at least80% wt.

Particularly preferred weight ranges, as well as the identity ofparticularly preferred organic solvents and combinations thereof aredescribed with reference to the Examples.

A further optional constituent, but in certain particularly preferredembodiments, necessary constituent of the present invention are (c) atleast one alkanolamine. Exemplary useful include monoalkanolamines,dialkanolamines, trialkanolamines, and alkylalkanolamines such asalkyl-dialkanolamines, and dialkyl-monoalkanolamines. The alkanol andalkyl groups are generally short to medium chain length, that is, from 1to 7 carbons in length. For di- and trialkanolamines anddialkyl-monoalkanolamines, these groups can be combined on the sameamine to produce for example, methylethylhydroxypropylhydroxylamine. Thealkanolamine constituent comprises from 0.01 to about 10.0% wt. of theinventive compositions. Desirably the alkanolamine constituent isincluded in a sufficient and effective amount such that the pH of theconcentrate compositions are at least about 7.5 or greater, preferablyat least about 10 and most preferably are in a range of about 10-12.Further desirably the alkanolamine constituent is included in asufficient and effective amount such that the pH of the dilutedconcentrate compositions used as cleaning compositions are at leastabout 7.5 or greater, preferably at least about 8.5 and most preferablyare at least about 10. Particularly preferred weight ranges, as well asthe identity of particularly preferred alkanolamines are described withreference to the Examples.

The inventors have found that the use of alkanolamines which arevolatile organic materials are preferred for use to adjust thealkalinity of both the concentrate compositions as well as the cleaningcompositions over inorganic salts and other inorganic materials whichare commonly known useful as pH adjusting agents as such inorganicmaterials typically are non-volatile and are prone to leaving depositsupon hard surfaces which may contributed to undesired levels ofstreaking of polished hard surfaces, glass, mirrors and the like.Desirably such pH adjusting agents based on inorganic materials areabsent from the present inventive compositions.

The inventive compositions may optionally further comprise (d) up toabout up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventional additives selectedfrom coloring agents, fragrances and fragrance solubilizers, furthersurfactants, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers, opticalbrighteners,.opacifying agents, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, andpreservatives. Such further conventional additives are per se, known tothe art and are widely commercially available. When one or more of theoptional constituents is added, i.e., fragrance and/or coloring agents,the esthetic and consumer appeal of the product is often favorablyimproved. The use and selection of these optional constituents is wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art, and they should be selectedso as to not deleteriously interfere with-the function of one or more ofthe other constituents present in the inventive compositions. Suchmaterials are described, for example in McCutcheon 's Detergents andEmulsifiers, Vol. 1, North American Edition, 1991; as well as inMcCutcheon 's Functional Materials, Vol. 2, North American Edition,1991, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.Particularly preferred weight ranges, as well as the identity ofparticularly preferred optional constituents are described withreference to the Examples.

A further class of surfactant which may be advantageously present in theinventive compositions are alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compoundsinclude those which may be represented by the general structure:

wherein: R is a C₈-C₂₄ alkyl group;

-   -   z+y are individually integer values of from 1-14, inclusive, but        are most preferably selected to that z+y=2-15, and in certain        particularly preferred embodiments z+y=2 or 15;    -   X may be any counterion, but is desirably Cl or NO₃.

Exemplary materials include ETHOQUAD 18/12 described to beoctadecylmethyl [ethoxylated (2)]-ammonium chloride; ETHOQUAD 18/25described to be octadecyl methyl [ethoxylated (15)] ammonium chloride,ETHOQUAD C/25 described to be coco methyl [ethoxylated (15)] ammoniumchloride, ETHOQUAD C/12 described to be coco methyl [ethoxylated (2)]ammonium chloride, ETHOQUAD C/12 Nitrate described to be coco methyl[ethoxylated (2)] ammonium nitrate, ETHOQUAD O/25 described to be oleylmethyl [ethoxylated (15)] ammonium chloride, ETHOQUAD O/12 described tobe oleyl methyl [ethoxylated (2)] ammonium chloride, as well as ETHOQUADT/12 described to be tallow alkyl methyl [ethoxylated (2)] ammoniumchloride.

Further exemplary materials include Q-18-15 described to be octadecylpoly(15)oxyethylene methyl ammonium chloride and Q-C-15 described to becoco poly(15)oxyethylene methyl ammonium chloride (both of which areavailable from Tomah Inc.), as well as VARIQUAT K-1215, a methylbis-(polyethoxy ethanol) coco ammonium chloride, with an 15 ethoxygroups; ADOGEN 66, an ethyl bis-(polyethoxy ethanol) tallow ammoniumchloride, having 15 ethoxy groups, VARISOFT 5TD, an ethoxylated di(C12-C18) alkyl methyl ammonium chloride, with 5 ethoxy groups, REWOQUATCPEM, a coco pentaethoxy methyl ammonium methosulfate, with 5 ethoxygroups. Particularly preferred alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compoundswhich may be included in the concentrate compositions of the inventioninclude those which are presently commercially available preparationsidentified as REWOQUAT CQ-100 which is described by its supplier to bemixture of ethoxylated cocoalkyl methyl quaternary ammonium chloridesand ethoxylated fatty alcohols. As noted with reference to the eighthand preferred embodiment of concentrate compositions the inclusion ofthis material is particularly preferred as the present inventors havefound that the inclusion of such a surfactant provides excellent surfacewettability, a good cleaning effect and low streaking. Such beneficialproperties have been observed when the REWOQUAT CQ-100 is used inconjunction with a non-ionic surfactant constituent based onpolyoxylakylene alkyl ethers, e.g., EMULGEN MS-100 as described withreference to one or more of the Examples.

A yet further class of surfactant which may be advantageously present inthe inventive compositions are fluorosurfacant compositions selectedfrom the group of nonionic fluorosurfactants, cationicfluorosurfactants, and mixtures thereof which are soluble in the aqueouscompositions being taught herein, particularly compositions which do notinclude further detersive surfactants, or further organic solvents, orboth. Particularly useful nonionic fluorosurfactant compounds are foundamong the materials presently commercially marketed under the tradenameFLUORAD (ex. 3M Corp.)

An especially useful nonionic fluorosurfactant compounds include thosewhich is believed to conform to the following formulation:C_(n)F_(2n+1)SO₂N(C₂H₅)(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)CH₃wherein: n has a value of from 1-12, preferably from 4-12, mostpreferably 8;

-   -   x has a value of from 4-18, preferably from 4-10, most        preferably 7;        which is described to be a nonionic fluorinated alkyl alkoxylate        and which is sold as FLUORAD® FC-171 (ex. 3M Corp., formerly        Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.).

Exemplary useful fluorosurfactants include those sold as Fluorad®FC-740, generally described to be fluorinated alkyl esters; Fluorad®FC-430, generally described to be fluorinated alkyl esters; Fluorad®FC-431, generally described to be fluorinated alkyl esters; and,Fluorad® FC-170-C, which is generally described as being fluorinatedalkyl polyoxyethylene ethanols.

Additionally particularly useful nonionic fluorosurfactant compounds arealso found among the materials marketed under the tradename ZONYL®(DuPont Performance Chemicals). These include, for example, ZONYL® FSOand ZONYL® FSN. These compounds have the following formula:RfCH₂CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H

where Rf is F(CF₂CF₂)_(y). For ZONYL® FSO, x is 0 to about 15 and y is 1to about 7. For ZONYL® FSN, x is 0 to about 25 and y is 1 to about 9.

An example of a useful cationic fluorosurfactant compound has thefollowing structure:C_(n)F_(2n+1)SO₂NHC₃H₆N+(CH₃)₃I^(—)

where n˜8. This cationic fluorosurfactant is available under thetradename Fluorad FC-135 from 3M.

Another example of a useful cationic fluorosurfactant isF₃—(CF₂)_(n)—(CH₂)_(m)SCH₂CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₁R₂R₃Cl^(—)where n is 5-9 and m is 2, and R₁, R₂ and R₃ are —CH3. This cationicfluorosurfactant is available under the tradename ZONYL® FSD (availablefrom DuPont, described as2-hydroxy-3-((gamma-omega-perfluoro-C6-20-alkyl)thio)-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propyl-ammoniumchloride).

Other cationic fluorosurfactants suitable for use in the presentinvention are also described in EP 866 115.

Exemplary useful hydrotropes useful in the use of the compositions ofthe present invention include known art hydrotrope compositions.Suitable hydrotropes include salts of aryul sulfonic acids such asnaphtyl and benzene sulfonic acids, wherein the aromatic nucleus may beunsubstituted or substituted with lower alkyl groups, such as C1-4 alkylgroups, especially methyl, ethyl and/or isopropyl groups. Up to three ofsuch substitutents may be present in the aromatic nucleus, butpreferably zero to two are preferred. The salt forming cation of thehydrotrope is preferably an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium,especially sodium. Howver, other water soluble cations such as ammonium,mono-, di- and tri- lower alkyl, i.e., C1-4 alkanol ammonium groups canbe used in the place of the alkali metal cations. Exemplary hydrotropesinclude benzene sulfonates, o-toluene sulfonates, m-toluene sulfonates,and p-toluene sulfonates; 2,3-xylene sulfonates, 2,4-xylene sulfonates,and 4,6-xylene sulfonates; cumene sulfonates, toluene sulfonates,wherein such exemplary hydrotropes are generally in a salt form thereof,including sodium and potassium salt forms. Further exemplary hydrotropesinclude lower alkyl sulfate salts, particularly those having from aboutone to six carbon atoms in the alkyl group.

Exemplary useful preservatives include compositions which compriseparabens, including methyl parabens and ethyl parabens, glutaraldehyde,formaldehyde, 2-bromo-2-nitropropoane-1,3-diol,5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one,and mixtures thereof. One exemplary composition is a combination5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-onewhere the amount of either component may be present in the mixtureanywhere from 0.001 to 99.99 weight percent, based on the total amountof the preservative. For reasons of availability, the most preferredpreservative are those commercially available preservative comprising amixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one marketed under the trademark KATHON®CG/ICP as a preservative composition presently commercially availablefrom Rohm and Haas (Philadelphia, Pa.). Further useful preservativecompositions include KATHON® CG/ICP II, a further preservativecomposition presently commercially available from Rohm and Haas(Philadelphia, Pa.), PROXEL® which is presently commercially availablefrom Zeneca Biocides (Wilmington, Del.), SUTTOCIDE® A which is presentlycommercially available from Sutton Laboratories (Chatam, N.J.) as wellas TEXTAMER® 38AD which is presently commercially available from CalgonCorp. (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

The compositions according to the invention are useful in the cleaningof surfaces, especially hard surfaces in need of such treatment. Inaccordance with the present inventive process, cleaning of such surfacescomprises the steps of placing one or more water soluble containerswhich contains a composition of the present invention into a containercontaining an amount of water (for example, spray bottle with dip tube,a bucket) and allowing the container to dissolve, and then applying aneffective amount of a composition as taught herein, by sponging,mopping, scrubbing, or spraying, to such surface in need of treatment.Afterwards, the compositions are optionally but desirably wiped,scrubbed or otherwise physically contacted with the hard surface, andfurther optionally, may be subsequently rinsed from the surface.

By way of example, hard surfaces include surfaces composed of refractorymaterials such as: glazed and unglazed tile, porcelain, ceramics as wellas stone including marble, granite, and other stones surfaces; glass;mirrors; metals; plastics e.g. polyester, vinyl; fiberglass, Formica®,Corian® and other hard surfaces known to the industry. Hard surfaceswhich are to be particularly denoted are lavatory fixtures such asshower stalls, bathtubs and bathing appliances (racks, shower doors,shower bars) toilets, bidets, wall and flooring surfaces especiallythose which include refractory materials and the like. Particularlypreferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a water solublecontainer containing a concentrate composition according to any priorrecited inventive aspect dissolved in a larger quantity of water to forma cleaning composition, wherein said cleaning composition exhibits lowstreaking characteristics when used to clean polished hard surfacesparticularly polished metal surfaces, glass and mirrors, particularlymirrors.

As noted previously, preferred compositions useful in conjunction withthe water soluble containers of the invention may be produced withvarious amounts of water. According to certain preferred aspects of theinvention the total amount of water in the compositions is no more than1% wt. According to certain further preferred aspects of the inventionthe total amount of water is no more than 5.5% wt. In still furtherpreferred aspects of the invention the total amount of water is inexcess of 7.5% wt. water, to about 12.5% wt. water. These various rangesprovide for certain flexibilities in the formulation of the compositionseach of which ranges exhibit advantageous aspects. Compositions wherewater does not exceed 1% wt. provide highly concentrated compositionswhich may diluted in larger quantities of water to form a cleaningcomposition therefrom without the loss of cleaning efficacy in view ofthe risk of slight overdilution of the concentrate. Compositions wherethe total amount of water is no more than 5.5% wt, and especiallywherein the total amount of water is in excess of 7.5% wt. water, toabout 12.5% wt. are particularly advantageous in that it hassurprisingly been found that successful water soluble containers whichhave a smooth and pliable texture when filled, likely due to theincreased amounts of water present in the compositions may be produced,which however exhibit excellent storage stability without leaking of theformed and filled water soluble containers, even under harsh storageconditions (e.g., 120° F.) for 2, 3, 4 weeks and in some instanceslonger. Such is particularly surprising in compositions which comprisewater is in excess of 7.5% wt. water, to about 12.5% wt. as deleterioussoftening and rupture or leakage of the water soluble container undersuch harsh temperature conditions would be expected particularly overlonger exposure times to such elevated temperature conditions.

Water is not normally necessarily added to the compositions andfrequently is provided to the inventive compositions as the aqueouscarrier portion of one or more of the constituents used to form acomposition. However, where the addition of water is necessary it may befiltered water, but more preferably is distilled or deionized water.

The concentrate compositions of the invention are useful in formingcleaning compositions for the treatment of hard surfaces by dissolvingthe concentrate composition contained in the water soluble containers ina larger quantity of water to form a cleaning composition therefrom.Most simply the water soluble container containing the concentratecomposition is supplied to the larger quantity of water and the watersoluble container is allowed to dissolve and thereby release theconcentrate composition into the larger quantity of water. Theconcentrate composition maybe dissolved in any larger quantity of water,and advantageously in respective vol/vol ratios of 1:40, preferably1:45, more preferably 1:50 and most preferably at least 1:60 parts ofthe concentrate composition:parts water. A particularly preferreddissolution ratio of the concentrate composition to water is about 15 mlper 800 ml to about 1000 ml water, especially 15 ml concentrate to about900 ml water. The water used to form the cleaning composition may be tapwater, filtered water, distilled water or deionized water. Excellentcleaning results have been observed even in the presence of modestamounts of inorganic salts in the water, e.g., “hard water” used to forma cleaning composition therefrom.

In preferred and especially in most preferred embodiments of theinvention the compositions are provide effective cleaning with little orno streaking on hard surfaces, especially glass, or other highlyreflective hard surfaces such as glazed tile or polished metal surfaces.This is unattractive to the consumer and usually requires a postapplication buffing or polishing step by the user of a product. Thisundesirable characteristic is generally avoided by the compositions ofthe invention, especially in accordance with preferred embodimentsthereof.

EXAMPLES

Preparation of Example Formulations:

Exemplary formulations illustrating certain embodiments of the inventivecompositions and described in more detail in Table 1 below wereformulated generally by adding the components into a suitably sizedvessel in no particular order and at room temperature. If any of thecomponents are solid, thick or gel-like at room temperature, they can bewarmed to render them pourable liquids prior to addition to the vessel.Mixing of the constituents was achieved by the use of a mechanicalstirrer with a small diameter propeller at the end of its rotatingshaft. Mixing, which generally lasted from 5 minutes to 120 minutes wasmaintained until the particular exemplary formulation appeared to behomogeneous. The exemplary compositions were readily pourable, andretained well mixed characteristics (i.e., stable mixtures) uponstanding for extend periods.

Example formulations are listed on Table 1.

TABLE 1 Example No. Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Dowanol PnB 42.00 43.0043.00 40.00 Dowanol PM 33.75 33.75 36.25 35.00 Propylene glycol 14.0014.00 — IPA — — 14.80 14.80 Emulgen MS-110 7.00 7.00 4.00 7.00 MEA 2.001.00 1.50 2.00 Fragrance 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.20 BHT — — — 0.01 water q.s.q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11Dowanol PnB 40 41.68 41.69 44.49 44.3 44.54 44.5 IPA — — — — — — —Dowanol PM 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 Propylene glycol 16.75 12.5 12.5 12.512.5 12.5 12.5 Emulgen MS-110 7 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 — Biosoft FF-600 — —— — — — 6.5 MEA — — — .2 .4 — .3 Fragrance 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2BHT — — — — — — — Kathon CG 0.5 3 3 — — .15 — Dye — .12 .11 .11 .1 .11 —water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex.14 Ex. 15 Ex. 16 Ex. 17 Ex. 18 Ex. 19 Ex. 20 Dowanol PnB 44 44 44.6 44.644.6 44.6 44.6 44.6 44.6 IPA — — — 5 5 5 5 — 5 Dowanol PM 35 35 35 30 3030 30 35 30 Propylene glycol 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.512.5 Plurafac LF-221 7 — — — — — — — — Plurafac RA-30 — 7 — — — — — — —Emulgen MS-110 — — — 4.5 4.5 6.5 6.5 — 2 Rewoquat CQ-100 — — 6.5 2 2 — —— — Glucopon 425LF — — — — — — — 6.5 4.5 MEA .3 .3 .2 .2 — .2 — .2 .2Zonyl FSO — — — — — .03 .03 — — Fragrance 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.21.2 1.2 Kathon CG — — — — .15 — .15 — — water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 21 Ex. 22 Ex. 23 Ex. 24 Ex. 25 Ex.26 Ex. 27 Ex. 28 Ex. 29 Dowanol PnB 44.6 44.49 44.39 44.64 44.54 44.5444.54 44.54 44.54 Dowanol PM 30 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 Propylene glycol12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Ninate 411 — — — — — 2 6.5— — Emulgen MS-110 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 — — 4.5 Rewoquat CQ-100 2 2 22 2 — — — — Stepantex DA-6 — — — — — — — 6.5 2 MEA .2 .2 .3 — — .3 .3 .3.3 NaOH 50% — — — .05 — — — — — Fragrance 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.21.2 1.2 Kathon CG — — — — .15 — — — — Dye — .11 .11 .11 .11 .11 .11 .11.11 water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex.30 Ex. 31 Ex. 32 Ex. 33 Dowanol PnB 44.39 43.69 43.6 42.69 Dowanol PM 3535 35 35 Propylene glycol 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Emulgen MS-110 4.5 4.5 4.54.5 Rewoquat CQ-100 2 2 2 2 MEA 1 1 2 2 Fragrance — 1.2 — 1.2 Dye — .11.4 .11 water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 34 Ex. 35 Ex. 36 Ex. 37Ex. 38 Ex. 39 Ex. 40 Ex. 41 Ex. 42 Dowanol PnB 49.20 47.27 46.77 46.7747.27 42.46 47.46 45.65 51.96 Dowanol PM 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.0035.00 35.00 35.00 36.00 Propylene glycol 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 12.507.50 10.00 — Stepanol WA-100 0.50 — — 0.50 0.50 — — — — Emulgen MS-1106.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 4.50 6.00 Rewoquat CQ-100 2.00 3.004.00 4.00 5.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 — Tomah AO-14-2 — — — — — — — — 2.00 TomahQ-17-2 — — — — — — — — 2.00 Zonyl FSO — — — — — — — 1.00 — MEA 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Fragrance 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.201.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Dye 0.10 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 43Ex. 44 Ex. 45 Ex. 46 Ex. 47 Ex. 48 Ex. 49 Ex. 50 Ex. 51 Dowanol PnB44.45 44.46 42.46 43.96 43.96 42.96 43.00 43.40 49.00 Dowanol PM 35.0035.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 Propylene glycol 10.0012.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.5 — Stepanol WA-100 — — — — —1.00 — 0.60 5.00 Emulgen MS-110 4.50 4.00 4.00 4.50 — — — — — RewoquatCQ-100 2.00 — 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 — Tomah AO-14-2 2.00 — — — —— — — — Tomah Q-17-2 — — — — — — — — — Dowfax 3B2 — 2.00 2.00 — — — — —— Dowfax C10L — — — — — — 1.00 2.00 — Glucopon 325 NP — — — — 4.00 4.00— 2.00 8.00 Plurafac SLF-18 — — — — — — — — 1.00 MEA 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Fragrance 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 Dye 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 — — — — — water q.s. q.s. q.s.q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 52 Ex. 53 Ex. 54 Ex. 55Ex. 56 Ex. 57 Ex. 58 Ex. 59 Ex. 60 Dowanol PnB 44.94 34.44 32.00 33.0433.04 32.00 31.00 33.40 32.40 Dowanol PM 35.00 32.00 31.64 32.00 32.0030.54 29.04 32.00 32.00 Propylene glycol — 12.50 16.00 14.00 11.50 14.0013.00 14.00 14.00 Stepanol WA-100 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 — 4.004.00 Stepanol WAC — — — — — — 10.00 — — Glucopon 325 NP 8.00 — — — — — —— — Glucopon 325 NK — 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 8.00 PlurafacCS-1 — — — — — — — 1.00 1.00 Steol CS-330 6.00 — — — — — — — — SteolCS-460 — 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 MEA 1.00 1.00 1.30 1.301.30 1.30 1.30 1.00 1.00 Fragrance 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 —1.00 Dye 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 — — Dantogard Plus — — —0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.60 liquid water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.q.s. q.s. q.s. Example No. Ex. 61 Ex. 62 Ex. 63 Ex. 64 Ex. 65 Ex. 66Dowanol PnB 34.40 34.40 36.80 42.46 49.25 44.94 Dowanol PM 32.00 32.0033.00 35.00 35.00 35.00 Propylene glycol 14.00 14.00 12.00 12.50 5.00 —Stepanol WA-100 2.00 — 4.00 — 0.50 4.00 Stepanol WAC — — — — — —Glucopon 325 NP — — — — — 8.00 Glucopon 325 NK 8.00 8.00 — — — —Glucopon 225 DK — — 5.60 — — — Plurafac CS-1 1.00 1.00 — — — — SteolCS-330 — — — — — — Steol CS-460 6.00 8.00 6.00 — — 6.00 Rewoquat CQ-100— — — 2.00 2.00 — Emulgen MS-110 — — — 6.00 6.00 — MEA 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 1.00 1.00 Fragrance — — — 1.00 1.20 1.00 Dye — — — 0.035 0.05 0.06Dantogard Plus 0.60 0.60 0.60 — — — liquid water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.q.s. q.s.

The above formulations are then placed into either thermoformed orinjection molded water-soluble containers using the methods describedabove. The water soluble containers showed very little or no migrationof liquid.

The components of the compositions set forth in the above Table 1 aredescribed in Table 2 below. The indicated weight percentages listed onTable 1 are based on the identified component “as supplied”, while Table2 lists the component, its generic chemical name, the percent weightactives shown in parenthesis (if not 100% wt. actives), and whereavailable, the supply source of the as supplied component.

TABLE 2 Component Stepanol WAC anionic sodium lauryl sulfate (29%active) ex. Stepan Stepanol WA-100 anionic sodium lauryl sulfate (95%active) ex.Stepan Steol CS-330 anionic sodium lauryl ether sulfate(27.5%-29.5% active) Steol CS-460 anionic sodium lauryl ether sulfate(60% active) Ninate 411 anionic isopropyl amine alkylbenzene sulfonate(90% active) ex. Stepan Dowfax 3B2 anionic dodecyl dibenzene disulfonate(50% active) ex. Dow Dowfax C10L anionic sodium decyl diphenyloxidedisulfonate (45% active) ex. Dow Plurafac CS-1 anionic polycarboxylatedalkoxylated alcohol (50% active) Alpha step MC48 sodium alphasulfomethyl C₁₂₋₁₈ ester and disodium alphasulfo C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acid salt (37%active) ex. Stepan Rewoquat CQ-100 mixture of ethoxylated cocoalkylmethyl quaternary ammonium chlorides and ethoxylated fatty alcohols(100% active) ex. Degussa Neodol 91-6 non-ionic C₉-C₁₁ ethoxylatedalcohol having about 6 ethoxy groups per molecule (100% active) ex.Shell Neodol 91-8 non-ionic C₉-C₁₁ ethoxylated alcohol having about 8ethoxy groups per molecule (100% active) ex. Shell Emulgen MS-110non-ionic C₁₂-C₁₄(EO/PO/EO) surfactant (100% active) ex. Kao BiosoftFF-600 non-ionic C₆₋₁₀ alcohol ethoxylate (4EO) ex. Stepan APG 325Nnon-ionic alkyl polyglycoside (50% active) ex. Clariant Glucopon 225 DKnon-ionic alkyl polyglycoside (70% active) ex. Clariant Glucopon 325 NKnon-ionic alkyl polyglycoside (50% active) ex. Clariant Glucopon 325 NPnon-ionic alkyl polyglycoside (50% active) ex. Clariant Glucopon 425LFnon-ionic alkyl polyglycoside (50% active) ex. Clariant Plurafac LF-221non-ionic linear alcohol alkoxylate (100% active) ex. BASF PlurafacRA-30 non-ionic alkoxylated C₁₂-C₁₅ alcohol (100% active) ex. BASFPlurafac SLF-18 non-ionic alkoxylated C₆-C₁₀ alcohol, comprising bothethoxy and propoxy groups (100% active) ex. BASF Stepantex DA-6non-ionic isodecyl alcohol ethoxylate (100% active) ex. Stepan TomahAO-14-2 non-ionic dihydroxyethylisodecyloxypropylamine oxide (30%active) Tomah Q-17-2 cationic methyl dihydroxyethylisotridecyloxypropylammonium chloride (30% active) IPA isopropanol (100% active) Dowanol PnBpropylene glycol n-butyl ether; (100% active) ex. Dow Dowanol PMpropylene glycol methyl ether; (100% active) ex. Dow Propylene glycolpropylene glycol (100% active) Dowanol DPnB dipropylene glycol n-butylether (100% active) (Dow) MEA monoethanolamine, (100% active) Fragrancefragrance (proprietary composition) Dye dye (proprietary composition)BHT butylated hydroxytoluene, an antioxidant (100% active) NaOH sodiumhydroxide (50% actives) Kathon CGmethylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (preservative) (1.5%Active) ex. Rohm & Haas Zonyl FSO ethoxylated fluorinated cationicsurfactant (30% active) ex. DuPont

In use, a water soluble container can be placed into a spray bottlewhich uses a dip tube and trigger assembly to dispense a liquid, anamount of water (usually from about 16 to 32 ounces, depending upon thebottle and size of the water soluble container) is added to the bottlewherein the water soluble container starts to dissolve. The dip tubewith trigger assembly is then reattached to the bottle and the solutionformed therein is ready for us. The resulting solution can be used totreat a variety of surfaces, examples of which are described above. Inaddition, the water soluble container can also be used in conjunctionwith cleaning systems which comprise a handle, a cleaning head, and afluid reservoir wherein the fluid reservoir is attached to the handlesuch that the fluid in the reservoir is dispensed onto a surface to becleaned adjacent to the cleaning head. In use, the water solublecontainer is placed into the fluid reservoir, the requisite amount ofwater is added to the reservoir and the water soluble containerdissolves, releasing the composition contained therein to be releasedinto the reservoir. The resulting solution is then ready to use in thecleaning system. Examples of cleaning systems include those describedin, for example, WO 01/72195; WO 01/22861; WO 00/27271; WO 98/42246; DE3940123; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,006, the contents of which areincorporated by reference.

Particularly preferred compositions of the present invention will havegood cleaning properties and will not leave streaks on shiny surfaces,such as glass and mirrors.

Cleaning Evaluation

The cleaning characteristics of certain example formulations describedon Table 1 were evaluated.

Cleaning evaluations were also performed in accordance with the testingprotocol outlined according to ASTM D4488 A2 Test Method, whichevaluated the efficacy of the cleaning compositions on masonitewallboard samples painted with wall paint. The soil applied was a greasysoil sample containing vegetable oil, food shortening and animal fat.The sponge (water dampened) of a Gardner Abrasion Tester apparatus wassquirted with a 15 gram sample of a tested cleaning composition, dilutedin water at a vol/vol ratio of composition:water of 15 grams (15 ml):950grams (950 ml) “hard water” (tap water from a municipal water source inMontvale, N.J.) and the apparatus was cycled 10 times. The evaluation ofcleaning compositions was “paired” with one side of each of the testsamples treated with a composition according to the invention asdescribed on Table 1, and the other side of the same sample treated witha commercially available comparative composition (Glass Plus® windowcleaning composition designated as “GB” on Table 3, ex. ReckittBenckiser, as supplied and requiring no further dilution) thus allowinga “side-by-side” comparison to be made. The cleaning efficacy of thetested compositions was evaluated utilizing a Minolta Chroma MeterCF-110, with Data Processor DP-100, which evaluated spectrophotomiccharacteristics of the sample, with the % soil removal calculatedaccording to the to ASTM D4488 A2 Test Method. The results are reportedon Table 3 following.

TABLE 3 % soil % soil % soil % soil Tile # Comp: removal Tile # Comp:removal Tile # Comp: removal Tile # Comp: removal 1 Ex. 65 55.89 1 Ex.64 32.40 1 Ex. 66 53.14 1 Ex. 55 43.28 1 GP 58.41 1 GP 50.19 1 GP 42.981 GP 46.59 2 Ex. 65 72.81 2 Ex. 64 44.96 2 Ex. 66 53.46 2 Ex. 55 47.94 2GP 71.43 2 GP 50.04 2 GP 45.21 2 GP 54.99 3 Ex. 65 57.54 3 Ex. 64 21.213 Ex. 66 43.92 3 Ex. 55 51.02 3 GP 54.48 3 GP 27.93 3 GP 52.68 3 GP51.86 4 Ex. 65 42.46 4 Ex. 64 21.74 4 Ex. 66 42.68 4 Ex. 55 42.11 4 GP41.42 4 GP 47.22 4 GP 43.10 4 GP 50.44 5 Ex. 65 37.22 5 Ex. 64 29.33 5Ex. 66 38.63 5 Ex. 55 49.77 5 GP 32.03 5 GP 51.00 5 GP 46.52 5 GP 49.706 Ex. 65 71.53 6 Ex. 64 41.70 6 Ex. 66 50.20 6 Ex. 55 31.43 6 GP 69.26 6GP 52.51 6 GP 46.52 6 GP 33.83 7 Ex. 65 71.39 7 Ex. 64 66.71 7 Ex. 6653.25 7 Ex. 55 65.09 7 GP 71.66 7 GP 69.68 7 GP 54.53 7 GP 67.60 8 Ex.65 48.36 8 Ex. 64 50.70 8 Ex. 66 52.90 8 Ex. 55 41.38 8 GP 46.10 8 GP56.59 8 GP 57.10 8 GP 44.82 9 Ex. 65 47.77 9 Ex. 64 62.05 9 Ex. 66 56.499 Ex. 55 25.86 9 GP 51.55 9 GP 64.12 9 GP 47.86 9 GP 29.18 10 Ex. 6549.48 10 Ex. 64 18.68 10 Ex. 66 52.63 10 Ex. 55 43.92 10 GP 57.41 10 GP17.97 10 GP 57.65 10 GP 45.83 11 Ex. 66 42.83 11 Ex. 66 40.60 12 Ex. 6637.44 12 GP 38.88

As can be seen from the results of the foregoing Table 3, the cleaningefficacy of aqueous dilutions of the composition according to theinvention provided comparable results over those of known art cleaningproducts.

Storage Stability

The storage stability of the inventive compositions were evaluated forboth a concentrate composition contained in a PVOH film as described onTable 1 as well as for an aqueous dilution of the same concentratecomposition diluted diluted in water at a vol/vol ratio ofcomposition:water of 15 grams (15 ml):950 grams (950 ml) “hard water”(tap water from a municipal water source in Montvale, NJ). These twocompositions were evaluated for their freeze-thaw stability (3 cycles),as well as storage stability for up to 6 weeks at room temperature (68°F., 20° C.), 40° F., 105° F. (at a relative humidity of 80%) and 120° F.

The results of the storage stability evaluation of the concentratecomposition according to Example 55 of Table 1 contained in a PVOH filmare disclosed on Table 4A, whilst the storage stability evaluation ofthe diluted concentrate composition according to Example 55 of Table 1are disclosed on Table 4B.

TABLE 4A (concentrate) pH Color Appearance initial 11.4 Blue dual phaseFreeze/Thaw cycle 1 11.37 5 ok cycle 2 11.35 5 ok cycle 3 11.35 5 okroom week 1 11.39 5 ok temperature week 2 11.35 4.5 ok week 4 11.33 4.5ok week 6 11.32 4.5 ok  40° F. week 1 11.35 5 ok week 2 11.39 5 ok week4 11.35 5 ok week 6 11.37 5 ok 105° F. week 1 11.40 5 ok week 2 11.394.5 ok week 4 11.35 4 ok week 6 11.35 4 ok 120° F. week 1 11.37 5 okweek 2 11.35 4.5 ok week 4 11.34 4 ok week 6 11.31 4 ok 5 = Excellent.No noticeable color change or fading 4 = Good. No noticeable colorchange but slight fading 3 = Acceptable. Very slight color change andslight fading 2 = Not Acceptable. Color changed and/or color faded

The evaluation of the color of the concentrate composition describedwith reference to Table 4A was according to the foregoing scale.

Each of the tested compositions in contained in a PVOH film used togenerate the results indicated on Table 4A was subsequently provided toa larger quantity of water and it was observed that the compositions andthe PVOH film readily dissolved to form a useful cleaning composition.

TABLE 4B pH Color Appearance initial 9.45 Blue Clear Freeze/Thaw cycle 19.45 5 ok cycle 2 9.41 5 ok cycle 3 9.40 5 ok room week 1 9.42 5 oktemperature week 2 9.39 4.5 ok week 4 9.42 4.5 ok week 6 9.42 4.5  40°F. week 1 9.45 5 ok week 2 9.43 5 ok week 4 9.43 5 ok week 6 9.43 4.5 ok105° F. week 1 9.38 5 ok week 2 9.38 4.5 ok week 4 9.37 4 ok week 6 9.394 120° F. week 1 9.41 4.5 ok week 2 9.41 4 ok week 4 9.42 4 ok week 69.40 4 ok

The evaluation of the color of the concentrate composition describedwith reference to Table 4B was according to the same scale as Table 4A.

1. A water soluble container enclosing a concentrate compositionconsisting of: (a) at least one surfactant which is either: (i) aC₁₀-C₁₄ alkyl sulfate surfactant, a C₁₀-C₁₄ alkyl ether sulfatesurfactant or mixture thereof, further in conjunction with one or morenonionic alkylpolyglycoside surfactants, or (ii) at least one nonionicsurfactant based on an ethoxy/propoxy block copolymer, further inconjunction with at least one nonionic surfactant based on anethoxylated fatty alcohol; (b) at least 70% wt. of at least one organicsolvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt. selected fromthe group consisting of propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycolmethyl ether, and mixtures thereof, and optionally a C₁-C₆ glycol or aC₁-C₆ monohydric alcohol; (c) in excess of 7.5% wt. water, but no morethan 12.5% wt. water; (d) optionally, at least one alkanolamine; and (e)optionally, up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventional additivesselected from coloring agents, fragrances and fragrance solubilizers,further surfactants, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers, opticalbrighteners, opacifying agents, hydrotropes, anti-oxidants, andpreservatives.
 2. A water soluble container enclosing a concentratecomposition according to claim 1 wherein the at least one alkanolamineis present in the composition.
 3. A water soluble container enclosing aconcentrate composition according to claim 1 wherein the concentratecomposition exhibits a flash point of at least 105° F.
 4. A watersoluble container enclosing a concentrate composition according to claim1 wherein the C₁-C₆ glycol, or the C₁-C₆ monohydric alcohol is presentin the composition.
 5. A water soluble container enclosing a concentratecomposition according to claim 4 wherein the organic solvent consists ofpropylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether and aC₁-C₆ monohydric alcohol.
 6. A water soluble container enclosing aconcentrate composition according to claim 4 wherein the organic solventconsists of propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methylether and a C₁-C₆ glycol.
 7. A water soluble container enclosing aconcentrate composition according to claim 1 wherein the (e) furthersurfactant is an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound.
 8. The watersoluble container according to claim 1 which is a thermoformed orinjection molded water soluble polymer.
 9. The water soluble containeraccording to claim 8 wherein the water soluble polymer is poly(vinylalcohol).
 10. A water soluble container enclosing a concentratecomposition according claim 1 wherein the (b) the at least one organicsolvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt. is present in anamount of at least 75% wt.
 11. A water soluble container enclosing aconcentrate composition according to claim 1, characterized in that whensaid water soluble container and concentrate composition are dissolvedin a larger quantity of water to form a cleaning composition therefrom,said cleaning composition exhibits low streaking characteristics whenused to clean polished hard surfaces selected from the group consistingof: polished metal surfaces, glass, and mirrors.
 12. A process fortreating a surface, particularly a hard surface especially one or moreselected from polished metal surfaces, glass and mirrors in need ofcleaning, comprising the process steps of: placing a water solublecontainer containing a concentrate composition according to claim 1 intoa larger quantity of water; allowing the water soluble container todissolve in the water to form a cleaning solution; and applying aneffective amount of the solution to the surface in need of treatment.